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By James Ratemo
Beware of unregistered malaria drugs on sale, the Government has warned.
Director of Medical Services Francis Kimani, yesterday said unscrupulous dealers were still importing and selling the drugs, some of which have been banned.
Dr Kimani reiterated Government commitment to phase out Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP) drugs in the treatment of malaria, warning that the drugs were no longer effective.
Some of the popular SP drugs include fansidar, metakelfin, Orodar and falcidin.
He advised the use of Artemisin-based combined drugs for treatment of malaria, saying they have been scientifically proven as effective in Kenya.
The approved drugs include brands such as Coartem, Duo-Cotexcin and Coarscom.
"The SPs are only registered for prevention of malaria in pregnancy and not for treatment of malaria infection. Any licensed drug sold in Kenya must have this message on the pack," he said.
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Ignorance
A survey by The Standard found that most SP drugs are still popular among Kenyans who prefer self-treatment to going to hospital.
"Whenever I suspect I am suffering from malaria I buy metakelfin and it works, I am not aware the drug is no longer meant for treatment," said Mr Martin Ochola, a Nairobi resident.
Such is the ignorance among many on the use of anti-malarials.
Kimani said the use of SPs could cheat a patient that he or she is healed, yet the disease only subsides only to reoccur in a severe form that could cause death.
Amodiaquine, another popular drug, said Kimani, is no longer approved for treatment of malaria in Kenya, except when it is in combination with an artemesinin-derivative.
He warned the dealers still selling the drugs, saying the Health Ministry has mobilised drug inspectors to mop up the drugs.
At the beginning of last year, pharmaceutical importers, manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers were directed not to deal in the banned drugs.
But by mid-last year, the non-registered and banned drugs were still on the shelves, forcing the Pharmacy and Poison’s Board to issue a warning circular.
The board has also formed a taskforce to develop a quality assurance framework for post-market surveillance of all drugs.
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